Steering issue after new bushes/tyres/alignment

[LeeMacca]

HI all,

My 2003 E85 3.0i has been in the garage this morning for new front lower wishbone rear poly bushes fitted, full alignment and new rear tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1). I now have a bad wandering steering issue since the work has been done, essentially it takes a moment to react properly when I turn the steering wheel and I can feel the car almost catching up with my steering inputs, at 70mph it's not pleasant at all, but does it all speeds on all kind of road surfaces.

The poly bushes I bought were these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251394680937?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I saw a few others on here had fitted them so went for the same.

The new rear tyres are matching to relatively new ones on the front, so Goodyear Eagle F1's all round.

Here is my alignment report - notice the incorrect vehicle... do the settings look correct?

The car will be going back to the garage, in the meantime has anyone got any ideas what could be causing it?

Ta.

Lee

 

[paulgs1000]

Hi Lee - when I had my Zed 4 wheel tracking done I had a photo of my settings from the screen and checking through them either yours are out or mine are out . . . . .not the same.

I've noticed a slight difference in feel with my Zed but it's all been positive and so far confidence inspiring and that includes a couple of fairly spirited Forum meets - nothing like you're describing.

I'd have your Zed back and ask that they check they were using the correct settings - for info I was shown that there were two settings for the E85, one was for sport models and one 'standard' (I think that was the setting can't remember for certain). There was no Z8 mentioned at all.

Let us know how you get on.

:driving:

 

[dans6490]

The print out shows you car as a Z8, which it isn't. They've used the wrong settings by the look of it?

 

[Midhurstman]

Some of your settings are definitely not within the correct spec for an E85 and would probably cause handling problems. Check out this topic http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=72845&p=1069006&hilit=hunter+alignment+f#p1069006. The red on the first sheet show the settings that are out of spec and the second sheet shows settings after changing (green is within spec). Suggest you get your money back for the incorrect alignment and go to a centre with Hunter equipment who know what they are doing.

 

[GaryT]

Hi Lee, take it back and get them to do it properly as they have made a mistake, obviously they have selected the wrong settings to apply to your car

 

[GaryT]

You have a choice of settings, you could have the std z4 which is correct for your car or you could go for z4m setting, i haven't had this done myself but those who have said they really like it.

 

[LeeMacca]

Thanks for the replies so far. Well if there is anything I can confirm it's that using the Z8 geometry spec is dreadful! :thumbsdown:

does anyone have a copy of what the correct settings should be?

 

[jaq03]

I had same as these ; http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=74317

 

[Midhurstman]

"does anyone have a copy of what the correct settings should be?"

I included this in a link on my posting 4 back :?

 

[LeeMacca]

"does anyone have a copy of what the correct settings should be?"

I included this in a link on my posting 4 back :?

Apologies Midhurstman! Read your reply quickly and forgot to come back for the link.

 

[LeeMacca]

UPDATE:

So I took the car back to get the correct alignment, which the garage did. The symptoms have improved quite a bit at slow speed however at national speeds I still have the very odd handling albeit slightly less prominent.

As a recap my symptoms are extremely poor responsiveness on turn in and then after a slight delay the car loads up and changes direction in a very boaty wallowy fashion, I can feel the front turn then the rear catch up. Ive also got generally poor responsive steering at all times.

Ive had the front end checked out mechanically and everything is fine, although not checked anything at the rear yet.

As i've lost confidence in the garage ive used for the first two alignments, I guess my only option is to take the car to either an alignment specialist or im thinking a specialist such as PMW in Chelmsford (who i've yet to use). If anyone has any recommendations for alignment specialists around the essex/hertfordshire regions that would be great?

Heres my alignment at the second attempt, the difference in front caster doesn't look great?

 

[Midhurstman]

"Ive had the front end checked out mechanically and everything is fine, although not checked anything at the rear yet".

When I did the whole of the front end suspension renewal: wishbone, bushes and drop links replacement last year I had an improvement to the problems you describe but not a total fix. I then found information on line that some years back testing was carried out on an E85 that discovered wear to rear trailing arm bushes and movement in this area (corrected by new RTAB and limiter shims to stop any end float movement) caused a type of 'rear wheel steering' that affected geometry, and therefore front end, badly. I then replaced the RTAB's and fitted shims which improved things to the point that I was satisfied. You have to accept however that, with wide low profile tyres, the E85 Z4 does feel slightly less planted than some cars. I know some owners will disagree but, with everything replaced suspension wise on my car, I am still not 100% happy with the lack of rock solid feel at high speeds that I have been used to with all of my previous cars, which number over a hundred (I used to get bored quickly).

There is a video of the RTAB movement on you tube with the car being driven (I think an E46), you have to search quite hard before finding it.

It looks to me that the right caster is still too low but I don't think this would cause the problems you describe.

 

[LeeMacca]

Great suggestion Midhurstman. I've done some research elsewhere and the symptoms sound the same. I'll take a look at the condition of mine, although its a relatively cheap fix anyway I might just get them done. The decision now is what kind of RTAB and/or limiter kit I go for.